Court upholds verdict against Franklin Corp.

Franklin Corp.’s request was denied Thursday for a new hearing in a lawsuit involving health claims by four former workers for the Houston-based furniture manufacturer.
In a unanimous vote, the Mississippi Supreme Court had upheld the $7 million-plus jury awards and trial decisions made by Circuit Judge Andrew Howorth.
Four former Franklin workers sued the company, claiming they experienced severe health problems after the company refused to protect them from noxious glue fumes it had been warned about. The company denied the allegations.
Thursday, the Supreme Court said Howorth did not abuse his judicial discretion or commit reversible errors alleged by Franklin, and it affirmed his final judgment from Calhoun County.
Franklin’s attorney, James L. Robertson of Jackson, said no decision has been made to continue the appeal to higher courts.